Post-Sandy Disaster Planning

Water Buffalo Storage

How will you and your staff and patrons cope during and after a major weather event? Price gouging and panic buying all contribute to the detrimental effects of a disaster and anxiety over a potential disaster.

In Rhode Island, as soon as there is a storm approaching or the threat of a storm approaching – hurricane – tropical – or snow – the local population typically goes out and buys all of the bread and milk out off the store shelves. They also buy up loads of bottled water and batteries.

When the power goes out, what are they going to do with all of that milk? Batteries eventually discharge. Bottled water is not environmentally friendly, can cost 500 times as much as tap water and may even be very low quality. If water service is interrupted and a water buffalo is all that is available – refilling bottles for daily needs is ineffective.

Sandy

Rhode Island– with the exception of the south-west coastal area – was very lucky during Sandy compared to New Jersey and NYC. We were spared much of the rain and our storm surge was less. After going through many potential and real weather emergencies in Rhode Island and coastal North Carolina, I was determined not to be price gouged or ill-prepared for weather. Rather than scurry around trying to find items in high demand, I decided to put together a few items that can bring relative comfort when your infrastructure is compromised. It takes me about 10 minutes to get ready for an infrastructure disaster. Here is my short list:

This kit is just a little over $100. You can also purchase all sorts of long-lasting food supplies. But, all of these items can also be used for camping – so your emergency kit has more that one purpose and will save you time and energy in the event of a disaster or the disaster that never comes.

I think I purchased the butane stove for around $20. I have read that you can use them indoors like a regular burner on top of your regular stove. The D-lights are very nice too – just leave them sitting in window sills in case the power ever goes out and they are always charged. They were developed for tropical conditions and are quite durable. There are also lots of options with the hand-crank radios now and lower prices by quantity. A five gallon collapsible container for water contains about as much as case of bottled water that can easily cost much more. If you calculate the cost of having to drive around and get the water, then it is even more and the quality of the water may be even less. Powdered milk has a very long shelf-life and the cost at WalMart may be less than regular milk from the store.

With the portable stove, the Coffee Pot and a hot-water bottle, you can provide a nice source of warmth when temperatures fall. Just heat up the water, pour it in the hot-water bottle and you can keep the chill off. Most people I have met are fairly well prepared to go without infrastructure for about three days. The items above can keep you somewhat comfortable longer than that. The D-Lights I have used on low settings keep lit for about 8 hours. Just set them back in the light during the daytime, and you have decent lighting overnight. The hand crank radio / charger will keep you connected after your stock of batteries are depleted. The butane stove cartridges will last a very long time.